By Sheryl Drost the firehouse scene - Harlem-Roscoe Fire nov... · The Firehouse Scene is a monthly newsletter produced by the Harlem-Roscoe Fire Prot. Dist. #1. Editor-in-Chief -

the firehouse sceneIs a monthly publication of the

Harlem-Roscoe Fire Protection District x2

Station Gossip...By Sheryl Drost

The past month, we here at Harlem-Roscoe have spent a lot of time with the children in our district teaching fi re safety in celebration of Fire Prevention Week. Make sure you friend us on Facebook to see all the pictures we have taken during the tours and safety talks. The fi refi ghters really enjoy this time of year and try to make it memorable for the kids. The kids ask the greatest questions and are so smart. My favorite “funny” was a tour where our fi refi ghter told a group of 4-year-olds that the next truck they were going to look at was our Rescue Squad which was like a big tool box. Two little boys looked at each other and excitedly said together, “We like tools!”.

Taken off the Harlem-Roscoe Facebook page, “On behalf of Blackhawk Learning Connection- Kreative K @ Ralston....THANK YOU!!! We had an amazingly fun time learning about fi re safety. We appreciate how prepared you were for our large group of anxious preschoolers. We couldn’t have asked for a better fi eld trip for our students. We look forward to coming again next year too. Great job, Station 2!!! Sincerely, Miss Tina, Miss Tammy, Miss Christian and Kreative K students”

Speedy recovery thoughts and prayers go out to Firefi ghter Jim Daughenbaugh’s wife Amy after her recent surgery.

Not all visitors to the front offi ce are welcomed! Seems the little 4-legged ones are escorted right back out of the building.

Make sure you refresh your memory by reading, ‘How to put out a kitchen fi re’ on page 8. I’d like to add, don’t overfi ll your pans, especially if they have butter in them! As the butter on the top of my scalloped potatoes and ham spilled over onto the bottom of my oven, smoke started to fi ll the kitchen. I quickly pulled the pans out of the oven. As I took the last one out, the butter that had collected on the bottom of the oven ignited. Guess I should have shut the power off fi rst. I quickly hit the off button, shut the door and yelled fi re out the back door. Now if you don’t have a fi refi ghter husband and son-in-law in your backyard at the time, I would suggest calling the fi re department if the fi re doesn’t go right out.

SENIOR TURKEY DINNERNovember 15, 11am -1pm

Harlem-Roscoe Fire Station #1

@ 10544 Main St. in Roscoe

Harlem-Roscoe Fire will be hosting the Roscoe Lion’s Club’s annual Senior Turkey Dinner again this year. Fire personnel and Lion’s Club

members will be cooking and serving scrumptious turkey and all the fi xings to our local seniors.

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The Firehouse Scene - Page 12www.harlemroscoefi re.com

November 2012 Fire Chief Don Shoevlin Editor Sheryl Drost

Photo by Sheryl Drost

Firefi ghters Search RiverPage 2

Fires X 2Pages 3

Buddy Firefi ghters Radi and Marty!

Hey fi refi ghter Steve, What happens when I pull this?

Birthdays

November1st Jerry McCormick Don Shoevlin3rd Joe Quast8th Harry Wagner10th Nate Noble11th Kelly Green14th Ken Kelley16th Jim Daughenbaugh19th Chris Farr

December 19th Eric Schweitzer26th Ron Klaman26th Patrick Trollop

Total Calls for 2012 2142

The Firehouse Scene is a monthly newsletter produced by the Harlem-Roscoe Fire Prot. Dist. #1.

Editor-in-Chief - Don ShoevlinEditor & Layout - Sheryl Drost

The Firehouse Scene is available after the second Sunday each month. Copies can be picked up at Fire Station One - 10544 Main Street in Roscoe, The North Suburban Library and several local government offi ces. It is also posted on the department’s website www.harlemroscoefi re.comE-mail submissions to Sheryl:[email protected]

From the Chief’s DeskBy Fire Chief Don Shoevlin

November 3rd we were all supposed to fall back an hour with our clocks. With the change to standard time, we would like to remind everyone it is a perfect opportunity to change your smoke alarm and CO detector batteries.

A BIG thank you to all of our fi re personnel for their overwhelming work during Fire Prevention week. They have been very busy with call

response, public relations and station tours. Thank you for all the participation.

Congratulations to the new fi refi ghters sworn in Nov. 11. They have completed their probationary period and requirements. We look for them to continue the great tradition that we all expect from this fi re department.

This past month I had the opportunity to attend the Illinois Fire Chief’s Annual Conference. I had the privilege to network with many fi re chiefs from around the state, was re-elected to the board for another term, saw many new products and visited with many vendors at the show. I also attended numerous classes that were offered on the educational track of the conference.

In order to continue our commitment to provide excellence, integrity and caring in our performance of our emergency medical services, the board has approved the purchase of a new ambulance. It is a 2012 AEV and is scheduled for delivery by the end of February. This ambulance will be replacing one of our older units.

November is the month of the Senior Thanksgiving Turkey Dinner. It will be held Thursday November 15th. We assist the Roscoe Lion’s Club in this great event. We will then fi nd ourselves rolling into the Thanksgiving holiday and the shopping season. My hope is that everyone can enjoy

the day of togetherness on November 22nd with family and friends. Remember to give thanks for all you have in love, health and take time to appreciate the importance of family and friends. I wish everyone in our communities, our fi refi ghters and their families a “Happy Thanksgiving”.

We will again be participating in the “Keep the Wreath Red” campaign for the holidays. This will start on Dec 1st and run through Jan 1st. More information will be forthcoming in the December newsletter.

As always bookmark our website www.harlemroscoefi re.com and /or friend us on Facebook to keep up with the progress of the department, individuals, and calls. Don’t hesitate to contact me or stop by if I can be of any assistance.

River Searched for Missing WomanPhotos by Sheryl Drost

Harlem-Roscoe Firefi ghters were asked to help search the Rock River this last month for a missing woman. On Oct. 27, Chief Shoevlin also requested a MABAS Box Alarm be pulled. This alarm brought boats from several local departments to help with the search operations in the water. Harlem-Roscoe’s boat and a couple of the other boats were also equiped with side-scan sonar. The woman was still missing at press time.

Gone,But not forgotten

Some people come into our lives, And quickly go. Some stay awhile and leave footprints in our hearts.

And, we are never, ever the same.

Boone Co. Fire Dist. 5 Manchester Township President Robert Harnish passed away Nov. 1.

Our deepest sympathies and prayers to Bob’s family and friends.

The Firehouse Scene - Page 2 The Firehouse Scene - Page 11 www.harlemroscoefi re.comwww.harlemroscoefi re.com

Family Christmas Drive

Firefi ghters are now collecting donations for our Family Christmas Drive. Donations of non-perishable foods can be dropped off at any fi re station. Please drop monetary donations off in the administration offi ce at Fire Station One on Main St.

The schools in our fi re district give the department a list of families with children that could use a little help at Christmas time.

Firefi ghters go shopping for presents for each child and enough food so that each family receives a box of food and turkey for a complete holiday dinner with all the fi xings.

Firefi ghters then deliver the baskets of food and presents the week before Christmas.

Harlem-Roscoe HostsBlood Drive

November 27, 2012

3pm -8pm.

Fire Station #1 at 10544 Main St. in Roscoe.

Bring a valid ID and drink plenty of fl uids before donating.

Call Lt Ryan Alms at 815-623-7867 to schedule your time-saving appt. Walk-ins are welcome.

Register for the Be a Match Marrow Registry

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How Were Turkeys So Named?

The word may have come from the noise a wild turkey makes when it become frightened: it sounds like ‘turk - turk - turk.’

The original inhabitants of America called this bird a ‘fi rkee.’ It’s not hard to see how fi rkee could become turkey.

Christopher Columbus, the explorer, took some of the wild turkeys of North America back to Europe. People enjoyed eating the meat. It is possible that traders along the Mediterranean casts, known as Turkes, may have brought some of these birds hence they came to be called ‘turkey birds.’

Turkey RiddlesWhere did the fi rst corn come from? The stalk brought it.

Why did the Indian chief wear so many feathers? To keep his wigwam.

What happened to the Pilgrim who was shot at by an Indian? He had an arrow escape.

How did the Mayfl ower show that it liked America? It hugged the shore.

Which side of the turkey has the most feathers? The outside.

Can a turkey jump higher than the Empire State Building? Yes - a building can’t jump at all.

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Real Questions Asked on the Butterball Turkey Cooking Hotline

Is it OK to baste my turkey with engine oil?Can I poke holes all over the turkey and pour a can of beer over it to keep it moist? Should I carve my turkey with a 16 in Redmax or should I get out my Stihl Electric Chain Saw?Should I leave the giblets in their plastic bag during cooking?I’m a truck driver. Can I cook the turkey on the engine block of my semi while I’m driving? If I drive faster, will it cook faster?How long should I cook my turkey on the car radiator? 50 minutes at Mach 1 should do it!How do I get my Chihuahua out of the turkey. (Her dog jumped up on the kitchen table.)

‘Don’t assume you’re always going to be understood. I wrote in a column that one should put a cup of liquid in the cavity of a turkey when roasting it. Someone wrote me that: “The turkey tasted great, but the plastic cup melted.” ‘ - Heloise

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Former fi refi ghter Harold Richards stopped in for an interview this month. Richard served over ten years on Harlem-Roscoe in the 70’s and early 80’s. Harold lived on the north end of the fi re district, long before the days of Station Three. He would have to drive to Station One on Main St. to respond to a call.

Harold said he never made the fi rst truck out, but that was ok, you needed people to get the rest of the trucks out as well. The fi refi ghters that lived on the north end would sometimes carry their gear in their cars and go straight to the scene. Harold said he didn’t have to be on the hose line and didn’t become an EMT. He said he helped get trucks to the scene, directed traffi c and said he has rolled a lot of hose line in his time. If he made it to the station and the trucks were all out, well, the station always needed sweeping or cleaning. He said they were reimbursed $3 a call and $5 an hour. He fi gured he was there to help with whatever was needed, so he would grab a broom if need be.

Harold said the fi re trucks were all gas-powered when he got on and you got there, but it took awhile to get there. So, when the new trucks arrived with bigger engines, well they got you there a lot faster. He said the gear they wore were the hip boots with the long jackets, helmets and boots. He had a monitor in his home to hear the call and remembers wearing a pager. I guess you can’t take the fi refi ghter out of the man because he still likes to monitor the scanner to this day.

He remembers working many a coon and ham dinner. He liked to help prepare the coon and he poured coffee during the dinner.

Harold remembers a call off Ventura Blvd where the homeowner smelled something burning. Well, up they go into the attic searching for the smell and they found a dead mouse in a light fi xture! Harold said they were walking on the beams and he slipped and his feet went straight through the drywall on the ceiling below. Then the next Spring Dinner, he had to face the homeowner’s teasing as he poured him coffee.

Animal Nest Causes FirePhotos by Sheryl Drost

Firefi ghters were rousted from their beds around midnight on Nov. 3 for a report of a house fi re on Danica Dr. in Machesney Park. Firefi ghter’s quick response and an aggressive attack stopped an attic fi re from spreading and saved the home from further damage.

No one was injured and the resident was outside when units arrived. The cause seems to be an animal nest next to the fi replace chimney stack pipe in the attic that ignited. The fi re then started to spread through the attic. Firefi ghters also removed the burning logs in the fi re place.

Firefi ghters ladder the roof to check the chimney.

Lawn Mower Fire Photo by Sheryl Drost

Harlem-Roscoe Firefi ghters responded to a lawn mower fi re on Chuckunut Dr. on Oct. 25 (pictured left). The fi re was quickly extinguished; the mower a total loss.

Below, Lt. Jerry McCormick quickly had the fi re knocked down


Firefi ghters were able to reach the attic fi re through an access hole in the garage. It is believed the cause was an animal nest next to the chimney that ignited.

19711971

L-r Fred Tuttle, Richard Lyford, Oscar Presley, John Chamberline Richard Mackenthun, Harold Richards and Terry Pitkus.

Times Rekindledby Sheryl Drost

The Firehouse Scene - Page 4 The Firehouse Scene -Page 9www.harlemroscoefi re.comwww.harlemroscoefi re.com

10/23/12 Hwy 173 & I-90

10/10/12 Hwy 251 10/27/12 I-90 off-ramp at Rockton Rd.

10/05/12 Hwy 251 & Prairie Hill Rd.

ACCIDENTS Photos by Sheryl Drost & Marcia Soppe

10/14/21 Hwy 251 & Williams Dr. 10/20/12 Prairie Hill & Hwy 251

10/25/12 Orlando St, 11/01/12 10121 N. 2nd St.

Your Source for SAFETY InformationNFPA Public Education Division 1 Batterymarch Park, Quincy, MA 02169 www.nfpa.org/education

ThanksgivingThanksgivingSafetySafety

The kitchen is the heart of the home, especially at Thanksgiving. Kids love to be involved in holiday preparations. Safety in the kitchen is important, especially on Thanksgiving Day when there is a lot of activity and people at home.


Did you know?Stay in the kitchen when you are cooking on the stovetop so you can keep an eye on the food. Stay in the home when cooking your turkey and check on it frequently.Keep children away from the stove. The stove will be hot and kids should stay 3 feet away.Make sure kids stay away from hot food and liquids. The steam or splash from vegetables, gravy or coffee could cause serious burns. Keep the floor clear so you don’t trip over kids, toys, pocketbooks or bags.Keep knives out of the reach of children.Be sure electric cords from an electric knife, coffee maker, plate warmer or mixer are not dangling off the counter within easy reach of a child.Keep matches and utility lighters out of the reach of children — up high in a locked cabinet.Never leave children alone in room with a lit a candle.Make sure your smoke alarms are working. Test them by pushing the test button.

Thanksgiving is the leading day of the year for home fires involving cooking equipment.


Have activities that keep kids out of the kitchenduring this busy time. Games, puzzles or books can keep them busy. Kids can get involved in Thanksgiving preparations with recipes that can be done outsidethe kitchen.

The Firehouse Scene -Page 8 The Firehouse Scene - Page 5

EMS Cornerwww.svhc.org/pdfs.

Cold-Weather Health EmergenciesSerious health problems can result from prolonged exposure to the cold. The most common cold-related problems are hypothermia and frostbite.

HypothermiaWhen exposed to cold temperatures, your body begins to lose heat faster than it can be produced. Prolonged exposure to cold will eventually use up your body’s stored energy. The result is hypothermia, or abnormally low body temperature. Body temperature that is too low affects the brain, making the victim unable to think clearly or move well. This makes hypothermia particularly dangerous because a person may not know it is happening and won’t be able to do anything about it.

Hypothermia is most likely at very cold temperatures, but it can occur even at cool temperatures (above 40°F) if a person becomes chilled from rain, sweat, or submersion in cold water.

Victims of hypothermia are often (1) elderly people with inadequate food, clothing, or heating; (2) babies sleeping in cold bedrooms; (3) people who remain outdoors for long periods—the homeless, hikers, hunters, etc.; and (4) people who drink alcohol or use illicit drugs.

Recognizing HypothermiaWarnings signs of hypothermia:Adults:

• shivering, exhaustion• confusion, fumbling hands• memory loss, slurred speech• drowsiness

Infants:• bright red, cold skin• very low energy

What to DoIf you notice any of these signs, take the person’s temperature. If it is below 95°, the situation is an emergency—get medical attention immediately.

If medical care is not available, begin warming the person, as follows:

Get the victim into a warm room or shelter.If the victim has on any wet clothing, remove it.Warm the center of the body fi rst—chest, neck, head, and groin—using an electric blanket, if available. Or use skin-to-skin contact under loose, dry layers of blankets, clothing, towels, or sheets.Warm beverages can help increase the body temperature, but do not give alcoholic beverages. Do not try to give beverages to an unconscious person.After body temperature has increased, keep the person dry and wrapped in a warm blanket, including the head and neck.Get medical attention as soon as possible.

A person with severe hypothermia may be unconscious and may not seem to have a pulse or to be breathing. In this case, handle the victim gently, and get emergency assistance immediately.

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Even if the victim appears dead, CPR should be provided. CPR should continue while the victim is being warmed, until the victim responds or medical aid becomes available. In some cases, hypothermia victims who appear to be dead can be successfully resuscitated.

FrostbiteFrostbite is an injury to the body that is caused by freezing. Frostbite causes a loss of feeling and color in affected areas. It most often affects the nose, ears, cheeks, chin, fi ngers, or toes. Frostbite can permanently damage the body, and severe cases can lead to amputation. The risk of frostbite is increased in people with reduced blood circulation and among people who are not dressed properly for extremely cold temperatures.

Recognizing FrostbiteAt the fi rst signs of redness or pain in any skin area, get out of the cold or protect any xposed skin—frostbite may be beginning. Any of the following signs may indicate frostbite:

• a white or grayish-yellow skin area• skin that feels unusually fi rm or waxy• numbness

A victim is often unaware of frostbite until someone else points it out because the frozen tissues are numb.

What to DoIf you detect symptoms of frostbite, seek medical care. Because frostbite and hypothermia both result from exposure, fi rst determine whether the victim also shows signs of hypothermia, as described previously. Hypothermia is a more serious medical condition and requires emergency medical assistance. If (1) there is frostbite but no sign of hypothermia and (2) immediate medical care is not available, proceed as follows:

Get into a warm room as soon as possible.Unless absolutely necessary, do not walk on frostbitten feet or toes—this increases the damage.Immerse the affected area in warm—not hot—water (the temperature should be comfortable to the touch for unaffected parts of the body).Or, warm the affected area using body heat. For example, the heat of an armpit can be used to warm frostbitten fi ngers.Do not rub the frostbitten area with snow or massage it at all. This can cause more damage.Don’t use a heating pad, heat lamp, or the heat of a stove, fi replace, or radiator for warming. Affected areas are numb and can be easily burned.

These procedures are not substitutes for proper medical care. Hypothermia is a medical emergency and frostbite should be evaluated by a health care provider. It is a good idea to take a fi rst aid and emergency resuscitation (CPR) course to prepare for coldweather health problems. Knowing what to do is an important part of protecting your health and the health of others.

Taking preventive action is your best defense against having to deal with extreme coldweather conditions. By preparing your home and car in advance for winter emergencies, and by observing safety precautions during times of extremely cold weather, you can reduce the risk of weather-related health problems.

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Kitchen Fires #1 in New Report; Smoke Alarms and Escape Plans Key to Surviving Fires in the HomeOctober 9, 2012

WASHINGTON, D.C. - In recognition of Fire Prevention Week, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and the U.S. Fire Administration (USFA) are providing new statistics on fi res in American homes and urging consumers to install smoke alarms in their homes and check to make sure all smoke alarms are working properly. It is also vitally important to develop and practice a family fi re escape plan.

In a report released today, CPSC estimates there were an average of 366,700 unintentional residential fi res, 2,310 deaths, 12,550 injuries and more than $7 billion in property damage each year attended by fi re service between 2008 and 2010.

The top cause of fi res in the home is cooking equipment, accounting for an estimated 147,400 or 40 percent of residential fi res each year between 2008 and 2010. Cooking was also associated with the largest percentage of fi re-related injuries, an estimated average 27.4 percent or 3,450, in the home.

Home heating and cooling equipment, including portable space heaters, was a top cause of fi re deaths, accounting for about nine percent or 210 deaths on average, in homes each year between 2008 and 2010. Portable heaters were associated with 100 of those deaths each year.

“Six people die every day in home fi res,” said CPSC Chairman Inez Tenenbaum. “The early warning provided by smoke alarms can make a big difference. Consumers who have working smoke alarms in their homes die in fi res at about half the rate of those who do not have alarms.”

“Every second counts when there is a fi re in your home,” said U.S. Fire Administrator Ernie Mitchell. “It is easy to believe that when the smoke alarm sounds, you and your family will be able to escape. A home fi re drill can prepare you and others to escape a real life emergency in your home.”

CPSC and USFA recommend that every family have a working smoke alarm in their home. To provide better warning of a fi re and more escape time, install more than one alarm and interconnect all smoke alarms in the home. Interconnected alarms speak to one another so if there is a fi re in one part of the house, the interconnected alarms sound throughout the house and alert consumers to the fi re more quickly.

For the best protection, CPSC and USFA recommend installing alarms on every level of the home, outside sleeping areas and inside each bedroom. Install both ionization and photoelectric alarms and make sure alarms are interconnected throughout the home. Alarms that are powered by house wiring should have battery backup.

According to the National Fire Protection Association, the death rate per 100 reported fi res was 49% less in homes with working smoke alarms than in homes without this protection. In addition to using alarms, never leave cooking items unattended and have a professional inspect heating and cooling equipment every year, including fi replaces and chimneys. Be extra careful with cigarettes and other smoking materials. Keep matches and lighters out of the reach of children.

According to USFA, the fi re death rate dropped by 20 percent over the 10-year time period 2000 through 2009 on a per capita basis for a variety of reasons. CPSC and USFA are working to further reduce fi res and fi re deaths through education and standards work. CPSC staff is working with other federal agencies on new smoke alarm technology to improve effectiveness and reduce nuisance alarms. CPSC is also developing rulemaking aimed at reducing upholstered furniture fi res.

How to Put Out Kitchen Fires

When a fi re starts in the kitchen, you need to act fast to keep the fi re from getting out of control. But how you act depends on what kind of fi re you have and where it is. Follow these instructions for putting out kitchen fi res:

If you have a fi re in the oven or the microwave, close the door or keep it closed, and turn off the oven. Don’t open the door! The lack of oxygen will suffocate the fl ames.If your oven continues to smoke like a fi re is still going on in there, call the fi re department.If you have a fi re in a cooking pan, use an oven mitt to clap on the lid, then move the pan off the burner, and turn off the stove. The lack of oxygen will stop the fl ames in a pot.If you can’t safely put the lid on a fl aming pan or you don’t have a lid for the pan, use your fi re extinguisher. Aim at the base of the fi re — not the fl ames.Never use water to put out grease fi res! Water repels grease and can spread the fi re by splattering the grease. Instead, try one of these methods:If the fi re is small, cover the pan with a lid and turn off the burner.Throw lots of baking soda or salt on it. Never use fl our, which can explode or make the fi re worse.Smother the fi re with a wet towel or other large wet cloth.Use a fi re extinguisher.Don’t swat at a fi re with a towel, apron, or other clothing. You’re likely to fan the fl ames and spread the fi re.If the fi re is spreading and you can’t control it, get everyone out of the house and call 911!

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Fire Prevention Week 2012Photos by Sheryl Drost & Marcia Soppe

Harlem-Roscoe Firefi ghters were kept extremely busy during the last month with Fire Prevention activities. They visited all the schools in the district for fi re drills and safety talk to the younger ages. Tons and tons of tours and fi re safety talks to groups. And, the Fire Prevention Week Open House at Station Three was well-attended. Visit our Harlem-Roscoe Facebook page to see more of the fi re prevention pictures. Here are some pics from the different events.

Fire Prevention Week Coloring ContestSome of the 1st Place winners of the Harlem-Roscoe Fire Prevention Week Coloring Contest, Tam Trinh, Hailey Fedderson, Ethan Moski, Ariance Lamont, and a couple siblings pose with fi refi ghter Greg Wernick and Fire Prevention Lt. Ryan Alms on October 27 at Station One. (Photo right) The 1st place prize was a ride in a fi re truck and ice cream party with the Fire Chief. Fire Chief Don Shoevlin apologizes that a rescue call kept him from attending, but Lt. Alms made sure the kids had a great time. Coloring Contest Winners: Ralston 1st Grade: 1st – Loren Melenas, 2nd – Addison Lukowski, 3rd – Maya. Ralston 2nd Grade: 1st – Hai-ley Feddersen, 2nd – Alexis Luebke, 3rd – Michelle Gorniski. Prairie Hill School 1st Grade: Greyson Motter, 2nd – Lucas Touvannas, 3rd – Anna Ptacin. Prairie Hill 2nd Grade: 1st – Ean Singmouanghtong, 2nd –Gracie, 3rd – Mia Driscoll. Olson Park School 1st Graders: 1st – TamTrinh, 2nd – Naithaniel Capter, 3rd – Paul. Olson Park 2nd Graders: 1st – Ethan Moski, 2nd – Emilia Garcia, 3rd – Kylie Maas. Ledgewood School Grade 1: 1st – Ariana Lamont, 2nd – Carlie Min-colla, 3rd - Lauren. Stone Creek School 2nd Graders: 1st – Cheney Mullins, 2nd – Mya Williams, 3rd – Ethan Berth.


Fire Prevention Week 2012Photos by Sheryl Drost & Marcia Soppe

Harlem-Roscoe Firefi ghters were kept extremely busy during the last month with Fire Prevention activities. They visited all the schools in the district for fi re drills and safety talk to the younger ages. Tons and tons of tours and fi re safety talks to groups. And, the Fire Prevention Week Open House at Station Three was well-attended. Visit our Harlem-Roscoe Facebook page to see more of the fi re prevention pictures. Here are some pics from the different events.

Fire Prevention Week Coloring ContestSome of the 1st Place winners of the Harlem-Roscoe Fire Prevention Week Coloring Contest, Tam Trinh, Hailey Fedderson, Ethan Moski, Ariance Lamont, and a couple siblings pose with fi refi ghter Greg Wernick and Fire Prevention Lt. Ryan Alms on October 27 at Station One. (Photo right) The 1st place prize was a ride in a fi re truck and ice cream party with the Fire Chief. Fire Chief Don Shoevlin apologizes that a rescue call kept him from attending, but Lt. Alms made sure the kids had a great time. Coloring Contest Winners: Ralston 1st Grade: 1st – Loren Melenas, 2nd – Addison Lukowski, 3rd – Maya. Ralston 2nd Grade: 1st – Hai-ley Feddersen, 2nd – Alexis Luebke, 3rd – Michelle Gorniski. Prairie Hill School 1st Grade: Greyson Motter, 2nd – Lucas Touvannas, 3rd – Anna Ptacin. Prairie Hill 2nd Grade: 1st – Ean Singmouanghtong, 2nd –Gracie, 3rd – Mia Driscoll. Olson Park School 1st Graders: 1st – TamTrinh, 2nd – Naithaniel Capter, 3rd – Paul. Olson Park 2nd Graders: 1st – Ethan Moski, 2nd – Emilia Garcia, 3rd – Kylie Maas. Ledgewood School Grade 1: 1st – Ariana Lamont, 2nd – Carlie Min-colla, 3rd - Lauren. Stone Creek School 2nd Graders: 1st – Cheney Mullins, 2nd – Mya Williams, 3rd – Ethan Berth.

The Firehouse Scene -Page 8 The Firehouse Scene - Page 5

EMS Cornerwww.svhc.org/pdfs.

Cold-Weather Health EmergenciesSerious health problems can result from prolonged exposure to the cold. The most common cold-related problems are hypothermia and frostbite.

HypothermiaWhen exposed to cold temperatures, your body begins to lose heat faster than it can be produced. Prolonged exposure to cold will eventually use up your body’s stored energy. The result is hypothermia, or abnormally low body temperature. Body temperature that is too low affects the brain, making the victim unable to think clearly or move well. This makes hypothermia particularly dangerous because a person may not know it is happening and won’t be able to do anything about it.

Hypothermia is most likely at very cold temperatures, but it can occur even at cool temperatures (above 40°F) if a person becomes chilled from rain, sweat, or submersion in cold water.

Victims of hypothermia are often (1) elderly people with inadequate food, clothing, or heating; (2) babies sleeping in cold bedrooms; (3) people who remain outdoors for long periods—the homeless, hikers, hunters, etc.; and (4) people who drink alcohol or use illicit drugs.

Recognizing HypothermiaWarnings signs of hypothermia:Adults:

• shivering, exhaustion• confusion, fumbling hands• memory loss, slurred speech• drowsiness

Infants:• bright red, cold skin• very low energy

What to DoIf you notice any of these signs, take the person’s temperature. If it is below 95°, the situation is an emergency—get medical attention immediately.

If medical care is not available, begin warming the person, as follows:

Get the victim into a warm room or shelter.If the victim has on any wet clothing, remove it.Warm the center of the body fi rst—chest, neck, head, and groin—using an electric blanket, if available. Or use skin-to-skin contact under loose, dry layers of blankets, clothing, towels, or sheets.Warm beverages can help increase the body temperature, but do not give alcoholic beverages. Do not try to give beverages to an unconscious person.After body temperature has increased, keep the person dry and wrapped in a warm blanket, including the head and neck.Get medical attention as soon as possible.

A person with severe hypothermia may be unconscious and may not seem to have a pulse or to be breathing. In this case, handle the victim gently, and get emergency assistance immediately.

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Even if the victim appears dead, CPR should be provided. CPR should continue while the victim is being warmed, until the victim responds or medical aid becomes available. In some cases, hypothermia victims who appear to be dead can be successfully resuscitated.

FrostbiteFrostbite is an injury to the body that is caused by freezing. Frostbite causes a loss of feeling and color in affected areas. It most often affects the nose, ears, cheeks, chin, fi ngers, or toes. Frostbite can permanently damage the body, and severe cases can lead to amputation. The risk of frostbite is increased in people with reduced blood circulation and among people who are not dressed properly for extremely cold temperatures.

Recognizing FrostbiteAt the fi rst signs of redness or pain in any skin area, get out of the cold or protect any xposed skin—frostbite may be beginning. Any of the following signs may indicate frostbite:

• a white or grayish-yellow skin area• skin that feels unusually fi rm or waxy• numbness

A victim is often unaware of frostbite until someone else points it out because the frozen tissues are numb.

What to DoIf you detect symptoms of frostbite, seek medical care. Because frostbite and hypothermia both result from exposure, fi rst determine whether the victim also shows signs of hypothermia, as described previously. Hypothermia is a more serious medical condition and requires emergency medical assistance. If (1) there is frostbite but no sign of hypothermia and (2) immediate medical care is not available, proceed as follows:

Get into a warm room as soon as possible.Unless absolutely necessary, do not walk on frostbitten feet or toes—this increases the damage.Immerse the affected area in warm—not hot—water (the temperature should be comfortable to the touch for unaffected parts of the body).Or, warm the affected area using body heat. For example, the heat of an armpit can be used to warm frostbitten fi ngers.Do not rub the frostbitten area with snow or massage it at all. This can cause more damage.Don’t use a heating pad, heat lamp, or the heat of a stove, fi replace, or radiator for warming. Affected areas are numb and can be easily burned.

These procedures are not substitutes for proper medical care. Hypothermia is a medical emergency and frostbite should be evaluated by a health care provider. It is a good idea to take a fi rst aid and emergency resuscitation (CPR) course to prepare for coldweather health problems. Knowing what to do is an important part of protecting your health and the health of others.

Taking preventive action is your best defense against having to deal with extreme coldweather conditions. By preparing your home and car in advance for winter emergencies, and by observing safety precautions during times of extremely cold weather, you can reduce the risk of weather-related health problems.

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Kitchen Fires #1 in New Report; Smoke Alarms and Escape Plans Key to Surviving Fires in the HomeOctober 9, 2012

WASHINGTON, D.C. - In recognition of Fire Prevention Week, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and the U.S. Fire Administration (USFA) are providing new statistics on fi res in American homes and urging consumers to install smoke alarms in their homes and check to make sure all smoke alarms are working properly. It is also vitally important to develop and practice a family fi re escape plan.

In a report released today, CPSC estimates there were an average of 366,700 unintentional residential fi res, 2,310 deaths, 12,550 injuries and more than $7 billion in property damage each year attended by fi re service between 2008 and 2010.

The top cause of fi res in the home is cooking equipment, accounting for an estimated 147,400 or 40 percent of residential fi res each year between 2008 and 2010. Cooking was also associated with the largest percentage of fi re-related injuries, an estimated average 27.4 percent or 3,450, in the home.

Home heating and cooling equipment, including portable space heaters, was a top cause of fi re deaths, accounting for about nine percent or 210 deaths on average, in homes each year between 2008 and 2010. Portable heaters were associated with 100 of those deaths each year.

“Six people die every day in home fi res,” said CPSC Chairman Inez Tenenbaum. “The early warning provided by smoke alarms can make a big difference. Consumers who have working smoke alarms in their homes die in fi res at about half the rate of those who do not have alarms.”

“Every second counts when there is a fi re in your home,” said U.S. Fire Administrator Ernie Mitchell. “It is easy to believe that when the smoke alarm sounds, you and your family will be able to escape. A home fi re drill can prepare you and others to escape a real life emergency in your home.”

CPSC and USFA recommend that every family have a working smoke alarm in their home. To provide better warning of a fi re and more escape time, install more than one alarm and interconnect all smoke alarms in the home. Interconnected alarms speak to one another so if there is a fi re in one part of the house, the interconnected alarms sound throughout the house and alert consumers to the fi re more quickly.

For the best protection, CPSC and USFA recommend installing alarms on every level of the home, outside sleeping areas and inside each bedroom. Install both ionization and photoelectric alarms and make sure alarms are interconnected throughout the home. Alarms that are powered by house wiring should have battery backup.

According to the National Fire Protection Association, the death rate per 100 reported fi res was 49% less in homes with working smoke alarms than in homes without this protection. In addition to using alarms, never leave cooking items unattended and have a professional inspect heating and cooling equipment every year, including fi replaces and chimneys. Be extra careful with cigarettes and other smoking materials. Keep matches and lighters out of the reach of children.

According to USFA, the fi re death rate dropped by 20 percent over the 10-year time period 2000 through 2009 on a per capita basis for a variety of reasons. CPSC and USFA are working to further reduce fi res and fi re deaths through education and standards work. CPSC staff is working with other federal agencies on new smoke alarm technology to improve effectiveness and reduce nuisance alarms. CPSC is also developing rulemaking aimed at reducing upholstered furniture fi res.

How to Put Out Kitchen Fires

When a fi re starts in the kitchen, you need to act fast to keep the fi re from getting out of control. But how you act depends on what kind of fi re you have and where it is. Follow these instructions for putting out kitchen fi res:

If you have a fi re in the oven or the microwave, close the door or keep it closed, and turn off the oven. Don’t open the door! The lack of oxygen will suffocate the fl ames.If your oven continues to smoke like a fi re is still going on in there, call the fi re department.If you have a fi re in a cooking pan, use an oven mitt to clap on the lid, then move the pan off the burner, and turn off the stove. The lack of oxygen will stop the fl ames in a pot.If you can’t safely put the lid on a fl aming pan or you don’t have a lid for the pan, use your fi re extinguisher. Aim at the base of the fi re — not the fl ames.Never use water to put out grease fi res! Water repels grease and can spread the fi re by splattering the grease. Instead, try one of these methods:If the fi re is small, cover the pan with a lid and turn off the burner.Throw lots of baking soda or salt on it. Never use fl our, which can explode or make the fi re worse.Smother the fi re with a wet towel or other large wet cloth.Use a fi re extinguisher.Don’t swat at a fi re with a towel, apron, or other clothing. You’re likely to fan the fl ames and spread the fi re.If the fi re is spreading and you can’t control it, get everyone out of the house and call 911!

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The Firehouse Scene - Page 4 The Firehouse Scene -Page 9www.harlemroscoefi re.comwww.harlemroscoefi re.com

10/23/12 Hwy 173 & I-90

10/10/12 Hwy 251 10/27/12 I-90 off-ramp at Rockton Rd.

10/05/12 Hwy 251 & Prairie Hill Rd.

ACCIDENTS Photos by Sheryl Drost & Marcia Soppe

10/14/21 Hwy 251 & Williams Dr. 10/20/12 Prairie Hill & Hwy 251

10/25/12 Orlando St, 11/01/12 10121 N. 2nd St.

Your Source for SAFETY InformationNFPA Public Education Division 1 Batterymarch Park, Quincy, MA 02169 www.nfpa.org/education

ThanksgivingThanksgivingSafetySafety



Did you know?Stay in the kitchen when you are cooking on the stovetop so you can keep an eye on the food. Stay in the home when cooking your turkey and check on it frequently.Keep children away from the stove. The stove will be hot and kids should stay 3 feet away.Make sure kids stay away from hot food and liquids. The steam or splash from vegetables, gravy or coffee could cause serious burns. Keep the floor clear so you don’t trip over kids, toys, pocketbooks or bags.Keep knives out of the reach of children.Be sure electric cords from an electric knife, coffee maker, plate warmer or mixer are not dangling off the counter within easy reach of a child.Keep matches and utility lighters out of the reach of children — up high in a locked cabinet.Never leave children alone in room with a lit a candle.Make sure your smoke alarms are working. Test them by pushing the test button.



Have activities that keep kids out of the kitchenduring this busy time. Games, puzzles or books can keep them busy. Kids can get involved in Thanksgiving preparations with recipes that can be done outsidethe kitchen.

Former fi refi ghter Harold Richards stopped in for an interview this month. Richard served over ten years on Harlem-Roscoe in the 70’s and early 80’s. Harold lived on the north end of the fi re district, long before the days of Station Three. He would have to drive to Station One on Main St. to respond to a call.

Harold said he never made the fi rst truck out, but that was ok, you needed people to get the rest of the trucks out as well. The fi refi ghters that lived on the north end would sometimes carry their gear in their cars and go straight to the scene. Harold said he didn’t have to be on the hose line and didn’t become an EMT. He said he helped get trucks to the scene, directed traffi c and said he has rolled a lot of hose line in his time. If he made it to the station and the trucks were all out, well, the station always needed sweeping or cleaning. He said they were reimbursed $3 a call and $5 an hour. He fi gured he was there to help with whatever was needed, so he would grab a broom if need be.

Harold said the fi re trucks were all gas-powered when he got on and you got there, but it took awhile to get there. So, when the new trucks arrived with bigger engines, well they got you there a lot faster. He said the gear they wore were the hip boots with the long jackets, helmets and boots. He had a monitor in his home to hear the call and remembers wearing a pager. I guess you can’t take the fi refi ghter out of the man because he still likes to monitor the scanner to this day.

He remembers working many a coon and ham dinner. He liked to help prepare the coon and he poured coffee during the dinner.

Harold remembers a call off Ventura Blvd where the homeowner smelled something burning. Well, up they go into the attic searching for the smell and they found a dead mouse in a light fi xture! Harold said they were walking on the beams and he slipped and his feet went straight through the drywall on the ceiling below. Then the next Spring Dinner, he had to face the homeowner’s teasing as he poured him coffee.

Animal Nest Causes FirePhotos by Sheryl Drost

Firefi ghters were rousted from their beds around midnight on Nov. 3 for a report of a house fi re on Danica Dr. in Machesney Park. Firefi ghter’s quick response and an aggressive attack stopped an attic fi re from spreading and saved the home from further damage.

No one was injured and the resident was outside when units arrived. The cause seems to be an animal nest next to the fi replace chimney stack pipe in the attic that ignited. The fi re then started to spread through the attic. Firefi ghters also removed the burning logs in the fi re place.

Firefi ghters ladder the roof to check the chimney.

Lawn Mower Fire Photo by Sheryl Drost

Harlem-Roscoe Firefi ghters responded to a lawn mower fi re on Chuckunut Dr. on Oct. 25 (pictured left). The fi re was quickly extinguished; the mower a total loss.

Below, Lt. Jerry McCormick quickly had the fi re knocked down


Firefi ghters were able to reach the attic fi re through an access hole in the garage. It is believed the cause was an animal nest next to the chimney that ignited.

19711971

L-r Fred Tuttle, Richard Lyford, Oscar Presley, John Chamberline Richard Mackenthun, Harold Richards and Terry Pitkus.

Times Rekindledby Sheryl Drost

Birthdays

November1st Jerry McCormick Don Shoevlin3rd Joe Quast8th Harry Wagner10th Nate Noble11th Kelly Green14th Ken Kelley16th Jim Daughenbaugh19th Chris Farr

December 19th Eric Schweitzer26th Ron Klaman26th Patrick Trollop

Total Calls for 2012 2142

The Firehouse Scene is a monthly newsletter produced by the Harlem-Roscoe Fire Prot. Dist. #1.

Editor-in-Chief - Don ShoevlinEditor & Layout - Sheryl Drost

The Firehouse Scene is available after the second Sunday each month. Copies can be picked up at Fire Station One - 10544 Main Street in Roscoe, The North Suburban Library and several local government offi ces. It is also posted on the department’s website www.harlemroscoefi re.comE-mail submissions to Sheryl:[email protected]

From the Chief’s DeskBy Fire Chief Don Shoevlin

November 3rd we were all supposed to fall back an hour with our clocks. With the change to standard time, we would like to remind everyone it is a perfect opportunity to change your smoke alarm and CO detector batteries.

A BIG thank you to all of our fi re personnel for their overwhelming work during Fire Prevention week. They have been very busy with call

response, public relations and station tours. Thank you for all the participation.

Congratulations to the new fi refi ghters sworn in Nov. 11. They have completed their probationary period and requirements. We look for them to continue the great tradition that we all expect from this fi re department.

This past month I had the opportunity to attend the Illinois Fire Chief’s Annual Conference. I had the privilege to network with many fi re chiefs from around the state, was re-elected to the board for another term, saw many new products and visited with many vendors at the show. I also attended numerous classes that were offered on the educational track of the conference.

In order to continue our commitment to provide excellence, integrity and caring in our performance of our emergency medical services, the board has approved the purchase of a new ambulance. It is a 2012 AEV and is scheduled for delivery by the end of February. This ambulance will be replacing one of our older units.

November is the month of the Senior Thanksgiving Turkey Dinner. It will be held Thursday November 15th. We assist the Roscoe Lion’s Club in this great event. We will then fi nd ourselves rolling into the Thanksgiving holiday and the shopping season. My hope is that everyone can enjoy

the day of togetherness on November 22nd with family and friends. Remember to give thanks for all you have in love, health and take time to appreciate the importance of family and friends. I wish everyone in our communities, our fi refi ghters and their families a “Happy Thanksgiving”.

We will again be participating in the “Keep the Wreath Red” campaign for the holidays. This will start on Dec 1st and run through Jan 1st. More information will be forthcoming in the December newsletter.

As always bookmark our website www.harlemroscoefi re.com and /or friend us on Facebook to keep up with the progress of the department, individuals, and calls. Don’t hesitate to contact me or stop by if I can be of any assistance.

River Searched for Missing WomanPhotos by Sheryl Drost

Harlem-Roscoe Firefi ghters were asked to help search the Rock River this last month for a missing woman. On Oct. 27, Chief Shoevlin also requested a MABAS Box Alarm be pulled. This alarm brought boats from several local departments to help with the search operations in the water. Harlem-Roscoe’s boat and a couple of the other boats were also equiped with side-scan sonar. The woman was still missing at press time.

Gone,But not forgotten

Some people come into our lives, And quickly go. Some stay awhile and leave footprints in our hearts.

And, we are never, ever the same.

Boone Co. Fire Dist. 5 Manchester Township President Robert Harnish passed away Nov. 1.

Our deepest sympathies and prayers to Bob’s family and friends.


Family Christmas Drive

Firefi ghters are now collecting donations for our Family Christmas Drive. Donations of non-perishable foods can be dropped off at any fi re station. Please drop monetary donations off in the administration offi ce at Fire Station One on Main St.

The schools in our fi re district give the department a list of families with children that could use a little help at Christmas time.

Firefi ghters go shopping for presents for each child and enough food so that each family receives a box of food and turkey for a complete holiday dinner with all the fi xings.

Firefi ghters then deliver the baskets of food and presents the week before Christmas.

Harlem-Roscoe HostsBlood Drive

November 27, 2012

3pm -8pm.

Fire Station #1 at 10544 Main St. in Roscoe.

Bring a valid ID and drink plenty of fl uids before donating.

Call Lt Ryan Alms at 815-623-7867 to schedule your time-saving appt. Walk-ins are welcome.

Register for the Be a Match Marrow Registry

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How Were Turkeys So Named?

The word may have come from the noise a wild turkey makes when it become frightened: it sounds like ‘turk - turk - turk.’

The original inhabitants of America called this bird a ‘fi rkee.’ It’s not hard to see how fi rkee could become turkey.

Christopher Columbus, the explorer, took some of the wild turkeys of North America back to Europe. People enjoyed eating the meat. It is possible that traders along the Mediterranean casts, known as Turkes, may have brought some of these birds hence they came to be called ‘turkey birds.’

Turkey RiddlesWhere did the fi rst corn come from? The stalk brought it.

Why did the Indian chief wear so many feathers? To keep his wigwam.

What happened to the Pilgrim who was shot at by an Indian? He had an arrow escape.

How did the Mayfl ower show that it liked America? It hugged the shore.

Which side of the turkey has the most feathers? The outside.

Can a turkey jump higher than the Empire State Building? Yes - a building can’t jump at all.

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Real Questions Asked on the Butterball Turkey Cooking Hotline

Is it OK to baste my turkey with engine oil?Can I poke holes all over the turkey and pour a can of beer over it to keep it moist? Should I carve my turkey with a 16 in Redmax or should I get out my Stihl Electric Chain Saw?Should I leave the giblets in their plastic bag during cooking?I’m a truck driver. Can I cook the turkey on the engine block of my semi while I’m driving? If I drive faster, will it cook faster?How long should I cook my turkey on the car radiator? 50 minutes at Mach 1 should do it!How do I get my Chihuahua out of the turkey. (Her dog jumped up on the kitchen table.)

‘Don’t assume you’re always going to be understood. I wrote in a column that one should put a cup of liquid in the cavity of a turkey when roasting it. Someone wrote me that: “The turkey tasted great, but the plastic cup melted.” ‘ - Heloise

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the firehouse sceneIs a monthly publication of the

Harlem-Roscoe Fire Protection District x2

Station Gossip...By Sheryl Drost

The past month, we here at Harlem-Roscoe have spent a lot of time with the children in our district teaching fi re safety in celebration of Fire Prevention Week. Make sure you friend us on Facebook to see all the pictures we have taken during the tours and safety talks. The fi refi ghters really enjoy this time of year and try to make it memorable for the kids. The kids ask the greatest questions and are so smart. My favorite “funny” was a tour where our fi refi ghter told a group of 4-year-olds that the next truck they were going to look at was our Rescue Squad which was like a big tool box. Two little boys looked at each other and excitedly said together, “We like tools!”.

Taken off the Harlem-Roscoe Facebook page, “On behalf of Blackhawk Learning Connection- Kreative K @ Ralston....THANK YOU!!! We had an amazingly fun time learning about fi re safety. We appreciate how prepared you were for our large group of anxious preschoolers. We couldn’t have asked for a better fi eld trip for our students. We look forward to coming again next year too. Great job, Station 2!!! Sincerely, Miss Tina, Miss Tammy, Miss Christian and Kreative K students”

Speedy recovery thoughts and prayers go out to Firefi ghter Jim Daughenbaugh’s wife Amy after her recent surgery.

Not all visitors to the front offi ce are welcomed! Seems the little 4-legged ones are escorted right back out of the building.

Make sure you refresh your memory by reading, ‘How to put out a kitchen fi re’ on page 8. I’d like to add, don’t overfi ll your pans, especially if they have butter in them! As the butter on the top of my scalloped potatoes and ham spilled over onto the bottom of my oven, smoke started to fi ll the kitchen. I quickly pulled the pans out of the oven. As I took the last one out, the butter that had collected on the bottom of the oven ignited. Guess I should have shut the power off fi rst. I quickly hit the off button, shut the door and yelled fi re out the back door. Now if you don’t have a fi refi ghter husband and son-in-law in your backyard at the time, I would suggest calling the fi re department if the fi re doesn’t go right out.

SENIOR TURKEY DINNERNovember 15, 11am -1pm

Harlem-Roscoe Fire Station #1

@ 10544 Main St. in Roscoe

Harlem-Roscoe Fire will be hosting the Roscoe Lion’s Club’s annual Senior Turkey Dinner again this year. Fire personnel and Lion’s Club

members will be cooking and serving scrumptious turkey and all the fi xings to our local seniors.

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The Firehouse Scene - Page 12www.harlemroscoefi re.com

November 2012 Fire Chief Don Shoevlin Editor Sheryl Drost

Photo by Sheryl Drost

Firefi ghters Search RiverPage 2

Fires X 2Pages 3

Buddy Firefi ghters Radi and Marty!

Hey fi refi ghter Steve, What happens when I pull this?

Documents

By Sheryl Drost the firehouse scene - Harlem-Roscoe Fire nov... · The Firehouse Scene is a monthly newsletter produced by the Harlem-Roscoe Fire Prot. Dist. #1. Editor-in-Chief -